A model of the assessment and optimisation of production process quality using the fuzzy sets and genetic algorithm approach

In this paper, the production process is decomposed for typical manufacturing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the metrics of the defined sub processes, based on the requirements of ISO 9001:2008, are developed. The weight values of production process performance indicators are defined, using the experience of decision makers from the analysed manufacturing SMEs, and calculated using the fuzzy set approach. Finally, the developed solution, based on the genetic algorithm approach, is presented and tested on data from 112 Serbian manufacturing SMEs. The presented solution enables quality assessment of a production process, the ranking of indicators, optimisation and provides the basis for successful improvement of the production process quality. [Received 13 April 2013; Revised 7 October 2013; Accepted 5 November 2013]